U.S. patent number 5,799,501 [Application Number 08/272,048] was granted by the patent office on 1998-09-01 for beverage cooling device.
Invention is credited to Richard T. Leonard, Steven B. Tucker.
United States Patent |
5,799,501 |
Leonard , et al. |
September 1, 1998 |
Beverage cooling device
Abstract
An improved beverage cooling device is disclosed. The device
consists of a main body. The main body is filled with a freezable
material. A suction cup is attached to an open beverage container
and the main body, after being sufficiently cooled, is threadably
attached to the suction cup. A ring is attached to the top of the
main body to allow for comfortable handling of the cold main body.
An optional second ring is attached to the bottom of the main body
for aesthetic appeal.
Inventors: |
Leonard; Richard T.
(Tallahassee, FL), Tucker; Steven B. (Tallahassee, FL) |
Family
ID: |
23038183 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/272,048 |
Filed: |
July 8, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.3;
62/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G
19/127 (20130101); F25D 3/08 (20130101); F25D
2331/81 (20130101); F25D 2303/0842 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
19/00 (20060101); A47G 19/12 (20060101); F25D
3/00 (20060101); F25D 3/08 (20060101); F25D
003/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;62/457.3,527,530,371 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Doerrler; William
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Loffler; Peter
Claims
We claim:
1. A beverage cooling apparatus comprising;
a body having a hollow interior and being completely and
permanently sealed;
a freezable material disposed within the hollow interior and being
completely sealed within the body;
a suction cup threadably attached to the body; and
a first ring, constructed of insulating material, encompassing the
top of the body.
2. The device as in claim 1 to further include a first ring,
constructed of insulating material, encompassing the top of the
body.
3. The device as in claim 1 to further include a second ring
encompassing the bottom of the body.
4. The device as in claim 1 to further include pivot means, located
on the stem of the suction cup, to permit back and forth pivoting
of the body relative to the suction cup.
5. A beverage cooling apparatus comprising;
a body having a hollow interior and being completely and
permanently sealed;
a freezable material disposed within the hollow interior and being
completely sealed within the body;
a suction cup threadably attached to the body; and
pivot means, located on the stem of the suction cup, to permit back
and forth pivoting of the body relative to the suction cup.
6. The device as in claim 5 wherein the body is thin-walled and
non-insulated.
7. The device as in claim 5 to further include a first ring,
constructed of insulating material, encompassing the top of the
body.
8. The device as in claim 5 to further include a first ring
encompassing the bottom of the body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates generally to a beverage cooling device and
more particularly to an improved beverage cooling device designed
to be inserted into an open beverage container such as a pitcher or
a mug.
2. Background of the Prior Art.
Drinking a cold beverage on a hot day is one of life's finer
pleasures. After a grueling summer day at the beach or fishing,
nothing is more rewarding than pulling up a seat in either a shady
or air conditioned respite, kicking back your feet, and drinking a
cold one. It makes the entire day worthwhile.
In an individual serving, keeping a beverage, such as beer, cold
poses very little problem. Keeping a 12 ounce can, bottle, or mug
of beverage cold during its short life expectancy is of no moment.
The beverage is just a pleasant memory before it has had a chance
to warm up.
The problem arises when two or more people order a beverage en
mass. Typically, such wholesale orders are delivered in a pitcher.
Unlike its junior counterpart, the mug, a pitcher will tend to sit
on the table top much longer. As the ambient room temperature is
much higher than the idle pitcher, the beverage within will tend to
warm up an unwanted result indeed.
What is needed is a means of keeping the beverage within the
pitcher cold while it awaits consumption. Many devices, both
complex and simple, have been proposed toward this end. The current
state of the art is found in one of two broad methods.
One method of keeping pitchers of beverage cold is to float a cup
or plastic bag, such a Glad sandwich bag, of ice in the pitcher.
The ice will absorb the heat of the beverage. As the ice is
confined within a container, the melting ice will not interact with
the beverage and will therefore, not dilute the beverage.
Alternatively, a more permanent carrier for the ice, as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,836 issued to Childers, may be utilized. The
Childers invention, which is inserted into the pitcher, functions
in the same manner as the cup or bag of ice.
The second method of keeping a pitcher of beverage cold is found,
for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,823 issued to Coker. In the Coker
invention, a sealed device contains within it a freezable material,
such as water. The device is placed into a freezer prior to use to
permit the freezable material to freeze. Thereafter, the device is
removed from the freezer and placed into the pitcher.
The beverage will interact with the device wherein the freezable
material will absorb the heat of the beverage, thereby keeping the
beverage cold. As the freezable is wholly contained within the
device, beverage dilution will not occur.
Both of the above methods perform an adequate job in keeping
beverages cold. Furthermore, they are relatively straightforward,
simple, and inexpensive in relation to the more exotic
techniques.
However, the above beverage chilling techniques suffer from a major
drawback--aesthetics. The devices are unsightly and therefore
detract from the experience of an otherwise tasty beverage.
Floating a cup of plastic bag of ice in the pitcher looks untidy.
The introduced bag vessel appears as a foreign object. It gives the
appearance that the restaurant's kitchen inadvertently dropped
something into a patron's pitcher and chose not to fish it out.
Devices such as those disclosed by Childers and Coker are equally
undesirable. They too appear as foreign objects within the
beverage. They give the appearance that someone left a large
strange stirring spoon within the pitcher.
Furthermore, as the devices are not anchored, they tend to move
around. The devices must be held when the pitcher is being poured
for fear of the device falling out of the pitcher and making a
mess.
What is needed is a beverage cooling device, of relatively simple
construction, that does not appear out of place within an open
container such as a pitcher. The device should have a neutral
effect on appearance, or, more preferably, the device should
improve the appearance. Ideally, the device should occupy a fixed
position within a pitcher.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device of the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned
shortcomings. The device provides for a beverage cooling device to
be used with open beverage containers, in which the device does not
appear out of place or as a foreign object.
The device has a hollow body that is attached to the bottom of a
pitcher or other open beverage container by the use of a suction
cup. A gripping ring is used to assist in attaching the body to the
suction cup. The device is symmetrical and wholly contained within
the beverage vessel and therefore appears as a natural addition or
extension of the pitcher or other container.
The hollow body is filled with water or other freezable material. A
beverage that contacts the body will transfer heat to the body
which heat will be absorbed by the freezable material within. The
hollow body is completely sealed. The body is thin-walled and is
fabricated from a material having high heat transfer capabilities
for maximum efficiency in removing heat from the beverage.
By using a suction cup to affix the device to the pitcher, the
invention will remain stationary while in use. It will not tend to
fall out when pouring a beverage from the pitcher.
Several methods can be employed to increase the aesthetic
appearance of the device. The device can be cylindrical shaped and
be decorated to appear like a can of beer or soda. Other designs
and shapes can be affixed to the body for both aesthetic appeal and
for use as an advertising medium.
The device can be entirely clear so that it is non-conspicuous. The
clear device can employ colored freezable material in one or more
colors for added effect.
The device is relatively simple, straightforward, and inexpensive
to construct and use.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
beverage cooling device that is used within a pitcher or other
similar open topped container, wherein the beverage cooling device
is aesthetically appealing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage
cooling device that can be used as an advertising display
medium.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage
cooling device that will efficiently remove heat from a beverage
when the beverage is in fluid communication with the device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage
cooling device that will remain stationary within the beverage
vessel.
It is a final object of the present invention to provide a beverage
cooling device that is of relatively simple construction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the invention secured within an
open beverage container.
FIG. 4 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the alternate embodiment of the
present invention secured within an open beverage container with
beverage being poured from the open beverage container.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The device 1 consists of a main body 10. This main body 10 is
cylindrical in shape with a hollow interior. Disposed within the
interior space of the main body 10 is a freezable material 102.
This freezable material 102 will phase change to solid form when
the main body 10 is placed inside an ordinary freezer. This phase
change will occur relatively quickly. Water or Blue Ice will prove
satisfactory as a freezable material. Other freezable materials can
also be used.
Although the device 1 is cylindrical in its preferred embodiment,
other geometric shapes will work equally well, without loss of
functionality or intent.
The main body 10 is permanently and completely sealed so that the
freezable material 102 will not escape when the freezable material
102 is in its liquid phase. Therefore, an air gap will be
maintained within the interior space of the main body 10. This air
gap will allow for orderly freezable material volume expansion
during phase changes. This will assure that the main body 10 is not
ruptured from within.
The main body 10 is constructed from a material that has high heat
transfer capabilities. Therefore, a non-insulating material is
preferred. Aluminum and other metals prove very satisfactory for
this purpose. However, other materials, such as plastic, will also
work. Construction of the main body 10 is relatively thin walled to
increase the high heat transfer capability.
Located on the bottom end 12 of main body 10, is an aperture 14.
This aperture 14 is threaded. The threading represents female
threading.
Located on the top end 16 of main body 10, is a ring 18. This ring
18 encircles the main body 10. The ring 18 is made of plastic or
other similar insulating material. The ring 18 is used to grip the
main body 10 when the main body 10 is removed from the freezer.
This is necessary because the aluminum of the main body 10 will be
cold and painful to the touch. If the main body 10 is constructed
from an insulating material, the ring 18 is not required.
A suction cup 30 is affixed to the bottom of an ordinary open
beverage container such as a pitcher 100. The suction cup 30 has a
top end 32. This top end 32 is threaded. This represents a male
threading. Attached to the outer circumference of the suction cup
30, is a tab 34.
In order to utilize the present invention, the main body 10 is
placed into an ordinary freezer wherein the freezable material 102
within the main body 10 is allowed to freeze. The suction cup 30 is
securely attached to the bottom of the open beverage container
100.
After becoming sufficiently cold, the main body 10 is removed from
the freezer. The main body 10 is grasped by the ring 18.
The aperture 14 of the main body 10, is mated with the top end 32
of the suction cup 30. The main body 10 is screwed onto the top end
32 of the suction cup 30 providing a secure fit within the open
beverage container 100. The ring 18 is used for assistance in
screwing the main body 10 onto the top end 32 of the suction cup
30.
Thereafter, beer or other beverage is introduced into the open
beverage container 100. The beverage will be in fluid communication
with the device 1. The freezable material 102 within the main body
10, absorbs the heat from the beverage thereby keeping it cold for
an extended period of time.
If it becomes necessary to use a second main body 10 (because the
first main body has sufficiently warmed to become less effective),
the first main body 10 is simply unscrewed from the top end 32 of
the suction cup 30, and a second main body is screwed in its
place.
In order to remove the suction cup 32 from the bottom of the open
beverage container 100, a person pulls on the tab 34. The suction
of the suction cup 30 will release permitting easy removal.
As the device 1 of the present invention is contained wholly within
an open beverage container 100 full of beverage, the device 1, does
not appear as a foreign object. The symmetrical shape of the device
1, further adds to the aesthetic appearance within the container
100.
The suction cup 30 will maintain the main body 10 stationary.
Therefore, there will be no fear of the device 1 falling out when
beverage is poured from the container 100.
Many techniques can be utilized to increase the aesthetic appeal of
the device 1. The main body 10 can have a second ring 20 encircling
the bottom. This second ring 20, in conjunction with the first ring
18, will give the main body 10 the appearance of a can, such as a
can of beer or soda.
The main body 10 can then be decorated to resemble an actual can of
beer or soda. The can of beer or soda can be decorated so that the
finished can has the same markings as an actual can would have of
the brand of beverage actually within the open beverage container
100. Not only will this add aesthetic appeal, it will aid the
beverage maker's advertising efforts.
Appealing designs other than those of beverage manufacturers can
also be affixed to the main body.
The main body 10 and the suction cup 30 can be fabricated from a
clear plastic. As such, their introduction into a open beverage
container 100 would be minimal as they would be difficult to
detect.
Alternatively, a colored freezable material can be used within the
clear plastic main body 10. The color of the freezable material 102
would be chosen so as to maximize aesthetic appeal. If water is the
freezable material 102, simple food color can be used to obtain the
desired color.
The clear plastic main body can be subdivided into two or more
compartments (not illustrated). As such, several colors of
freezable material 102, one in each compartment, can be used for a
unique display within the open beverage container 100.
In an alternative embodiment, the main body 10' will be in the
shape of a rectangular solid, as seen in FIG. 4. The main body 10'
can utilize all of the above-mentioned aesthetic enhancement
techniques. Furthermore, the top end 32 of the suction cup 30 is
pivotally attached to the suction cup 30 by pivot means (not
illustrated) to permit the top end to sway back and forth.
In this embodiment, the rectangular main body 10' is affixed to the
suction cup 32 so that one of the main body's flat surfaces lies
parallel to the spout of the pitcher. In such an arrangement, when
beverage is being poured from the open beverage container, the
hinge means of the suction cup 32 permit the main body 10' to pivot
and sit on top of the flowing liquid surface. This assures that the
large rectangular surface of the main body 10' is in direct contact
with the fluid surface of the exiting liquid. This permits the
exiting beverage to deposit its heat onto the main body 10' as its
being deposited into the drinker's glass.
It is anticipated that all components for the various embodiments
of the present invention will be dishwasher safe for easy
cleaning.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *